Dear Friend,
The special session adjourned, the election is over, and we are turning our attention toward the holidays. As you may know, and as I will detail below, Governor Northam announced new measures to contain COVID-19. Please remain ever vigilant in your social distancing, mask-wearing, and personal hygiene practices as we experience a surge throughout the Commonwealth and the country in COVID-19 cases. As enjoyable as it is to be near our loved ones during the holiday season, we must continue to be mindful of protecting the health of others and curbing the spread of the virus, so we do not overburden our health care system.
I encourage you to read and share these four articles concerning the rise and spread of COVID-19:
Holiday Considerations for Small Gatherings of Family and Friends from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
“U.S. prepares for worst four months of the pandemic as it stares down the ‘darkest’ days yet” from CNBC
“At dinner parties and game nights, casual American life is fueling the coronavirus surge as daily cases exceed 150,000” from the Washington Post
"Don't rely on negative test results to see your family for Thanksgiving" from CNN
Below my newsletter includes information regarding the end of the special legislative session, election results, news on the 2021 legislative session, as well as COVID-19 resources and community updates.
Special Session
The special legislative session adjourned on Monday, November 9, after 83 days. During this time, the General Assembly passed legislation relating to COVID-19 relief, police and criminal justice reform, and the budget.
The budget addresses the $2.8 billion revenue shortfall due to COVID-19, restores early childhood education expansion funding and educator retention incentives. Telehealth, funding to support the election, and broadband infrastructure projects are also prioritized in the budget. Finally, to help address the impacts of the pandemic, the budget includes an extension for housing protections for Virginia residents and funding for emergency childcare programs and childcare provider stabilization. You can review the budget here.
Twenty-nine House bills and 25 Senate bills passed and were approved by the Governor. You can review them here.
2021 Legislative Session
The 2021 legislative session will begin on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Since it is not a budget year, this is a “short” session, meaning the General Assembly will convene for approximately 45 days (or possibly even less). Speaker Filler-Corn has announced that the House of Delegates will continue to conduct session remotely, as during the Special Session. The Department of Health played a significant role in the decision-making process. With 100 elected members, staff, advocates, and lobbyists from throughout the state conducting business in the Pocahontas Building and Capitol, it would be nearly impossible to implement and enforce the necessary measures to keep everyone safe.
Public participation and transparency continue to be a top priority. The remote session has increased public access by adding easy ways to view committees and subcommittees online and expanded the ability of the public to provide comment throughout the legislative process.
I am anticipating restrictions on the number of bills a member of the House can introduce. However, I encourage you to email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org to share your legislative priorities and concerns. Additionally, I am happy to meet with you virtually to discuss.
Commission Meetings
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC)
On Monday, November 16, JLARC met to review study findings related to Children’s Services Act and Private Special Education Day School Costs as well as key considerations for marijuana legalization. You can review both reports here.
Following the JLARC meeting,Governor Northam announced that he will introduce and support legislation to legalize marijuana during the 2021 legislative session. The Governor added that legislation to legalize adult-use marijuana will need to follow five principles:
Social equity, racial equity, and economic equity
Public health
Protections for young people
Upholding the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act
Data collection
You can read the Governor’s press release here.
Finally, the Commission approved the following five study topics for 2021:
Review of the Virginia Employment Commission
Adequacy of Virginia’s Court-Appointed Guardian and Conservator System
Review of the Juvenile Justice System
Review of the Commonwealth’s Housing Needs
Transportation Infrastructure and Funding
Task Force to Commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of Women’s Right to Vote
At the last meeting on November 5, I was honored to be appointed Chair of the Task Force. As the Task Force wraps up its work celebrating the centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote, we looked ahead at how to continue to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women throughout the Commonwealth’s history.
You can visit the Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s website for more information on the 2020 commemoration activities and to learn about the history of women’s suffrage.
Jamestown Yorktown Foundation
As a new member of the Jamestown Yorktown Foundation, I was glad to participate in the Board of Trustees two-day retreat on November 9 and 10. I participated in the building and grounds, administration and personnel, marketing, public programming, and executive and finance committees. The Foundation, under the superb leadership of Christy Coleman (former American Civil War Museum CEO), is doing a great job of driving tourism and finding creative ways to engage the community during COVID-19. You can visit their website at historyisfun.org.
COVID-19 Information and Resources
Recently, Virginia has averaged 1,500 newly-reported COVID-19 cases per day, up from the statewide peak of around 1,200 in May. Hospital capacity remains stable, but hospitalizations are increasing statewide by more than 35% in the past month. The Commonwealth has new contracts with three laboratories, which will increase our testing capacity.
Effective Sunday, November 15, the Governor announced the following measures:
Reduction in public and private gatherings: All public and private in-person gatherings must be limited to 25 individuals, down from the current cap of 250 people. This includes outdoor and indoor settings.
Expansion of mask mandate: All Virginians aged five and over are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces. This expands the current mask mandate, which has been in place in Virginia since May 29 and requires all individuals aged 10 and over to wear face coverings in indoor public settings.
Strengthened enforcement within essential retail businesses: All essential retail businesses, including grocery stores and pharmacies, must adhere to statewide guidelines for physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and enhanced cleaning. While certain essential retail businesses have been required to adhere to these regulations as a best practice, violations will now be enforceable through the Virginia Department of Health as a Class One misdemeanor.
On-site alcohol curfew: The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol is prohibited after 10:00 p.m. in any restaurant, dining establishment, food court, brewery, microbrewery, distillery, winery, or tasting room. All restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms must close by midnight. Virginia law does not distinguish between restaurants and bars, however, under current restrictions, individuals that choose to consume alcohol prior to 10:00 p.m. must be served as in a restaurant and remain seated at tables six feet apart.
You can watch the Governor’s announcement on Youtube.
Resources
Download the COVIDWISE app for contact tracing, notifications, and other important COVID-19 information as it relates to the Commonwealth
Need a mask? Pick up a free mask from many locations throughout the City
City of Richmond Leaf Collection Program
Bagged collection option: You can include up to 10 bags of leaves on a normal trash day – biodegradable plastic bags are preferred. Please place the bags near supercan.
Do-It-Yourself Option: Dispose leaves at one of three locations
East Richmond Road Convenience Center: 3800 East Richmond Road; only loose leaves or leaves in biodegradable paper bags accepted
Maury Street Landfill: 2900 Maury Street; only loose leaves or leaves in biodegradable paper bags accepted
Transfer Station: 3506 North Hopkins Road; all bagged leaves accepted
Unlimited Bag Collection Option: DPW has divided the City into four sectors for bagged leaves based on trash collection days. During this period, residents may put out an unlimited number of bags for collection:
Sector 1 (Wednesday trash collection): Between November 4 – 18
Sector 2 (Thursday trash collection): Between November 19 – 29
Sector 3 (Monday trash collection): Between November 30 – December 14
Sector 4 (Tuesday trash collection): Between December 15 – 31
Vacuum service option: For $30, you can arrange for DPW to vacuum your leaves
Visit the Richmond Department of Public Works website for additional information or call 804-646-LEAF.
It is an honor to serve you in the General Assembly. If you have any questions, concerns, or issues that I can help address, please email me at delegate.carr@betsycarr.org or 804-698-1169. Additionally, I am available to meet with you or your civic association or community group via a web call to discuss your legislative priorities. I look forward to staying in touch.
Sincerely,
Betsy B. Carr